Dr. Rafizadeh's Lip Lift
The lip lift — also known as a subnasal lip lift or philtrum reduction — shortens the distance between the base of the nose and the upper lip (the philtrum), elevating the lip into a more youthful position, exposing more of the upper teeth, and creating a fuller, more defined Cupid's bow. Unlike lip fillers, the results are permanent.
Since 2012, Dr. Rafizadeh has performed lip lifts as a standalone procedure on a regular basis — at a time when most plastic surgeons were unfamiliar with the benefits of this operation. Today it is one of his most-requested procedures and his declared super-specialty. He has developed a signature technique for hiding the scars within the nostrils, making them less visible than the standard placement at the base of the nose.
“You are a very good candidate for a lip lift. I have developed a method of hiding the scars in the nostrils. I find this is the best way to hide them in an area that is less visible. In general the scarring is good and the incision heals very well. Over hundreds of cases I have only seen a few patients with slight hypertrophic scars that required a steroid injection.”
— Dr. Farhad Rafizadeh, MD FACS
The Golden Ratio & Lip Proportion
The ideal philtrum length is 11–13 mm for women and 13–15 mm for men. When this distance exceeds these proportions — either naturally or through age-related elongation — the upper lip appears flat, the teeth show less when smiling, and the face loses the youthful balance associated with the golden ratio. Dr. Rafizadeh measures precisely before marking the incision, and the patient must agree with the proposed changes before surgery begins.
Who is a Candidate?
Ideal candidates include patients who have a philtrum longer than 13 mm, diminished upper tooth show at rest, a thin or flat upper lip, or loss of Cupid's bow definition. Both younger patients seeking a more defined lip and older patients experiencing age-related elongation are appropriate candidates. Dr. Rafizadeh also performs lip lifts on male patients and finds that men generally heal very well due to the robust blood supply of the perioral area.
Lip Lift vs. Lip Fillers
Lip fillers add volume to the lip but cannot reliably shorten a long philtrum or increase central tooth show at rest. A surgical lip lift addresses length and dental display directly and permanently. Many patients continue to use small amounts of filler after a lip lift for fine contouring — the two are complementary.
Recovery Timeline
Days 1–5: Swelling and mild tightness. Be cautious with mouth movements. Cold compresses help.
Week 1–2: Sutures removed. Avoid full smiling and strenuous activity for additional healing time.
Weeks 2–4: Swelling resolves. The result is visible. Most patients can return to all activities.
Months 2–6: Scar continues to fade. Sunscreen daily is recommended.
